Celtic Pharma: Data from New Drug Trial Offers Prospect for Enhanced Quality of Life for Children With Late Stage Brain Tumors 6/27/2012 9:19:36 AM

HAMILTON, Bermuda & LONDON & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Data presented today by Dr. Stewart Goldman M.D of the Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago at the International Symposium for Pediatric Neuro-Oncology being held in Toronto, Canada showed encouraging positive results from a Phase I/II study of Xerecept in Pediatric Patients with Peritumoral Cerebral Edema (brain tumors). Xerecept® is an investigational new drug for use in pediatric patients who are dependent on the steroid Decadron (dexamethasone) to treat peritumoral brain edema associated with cerebral tumors. Approximately 4,000 cases of pediatric brain tumors are diagnosed each year in the United States. Data from this Phase I/II study showed that Xerecept® was safe and well tolerated at all doses levels in these patients. Initial indications are that the drug can reduce or eliminate the need for Decadron, and the steroid-associated side effects, providing significant quality of life improvements.